Graeme Murphy brings his signature brand of lively choreography and deft direction to
the dance-packed score.

Let's waltz, let's sway the night away.

It's time for a little romance.

There's a fortune at stake — which match will she make?

She'll lead you a merry old dance.

Enjoy dinner before the opera at Sydney Opera House

Allow us to make your dinner reservation for you: 6pm in the
Northern Foyer of the Joan Sutherland Theatre. You'll be served a themed three-course
menu for just $69, including a Kir Royale on arrival. View
the menu.

Act I

The Pontevedrian embassy, Paris.The Balkan state of Pontevedro is facing
financial ruin. Its best hope is that Hanna Glavari, a young rich widow, should marry
a Pontevedrian and keep her fortune in Pontevedro, rather than risk marrying a Parisian
and losing the money to France. The Pontevedrian Embassy holds a state ball to which
Hanna and her former lover, Danilo Danilovich are invited. Before her marriage into
wealth, Hanna was a poor farm girl whom Danilo’s uncle forbade him to marry.
Now the pressure is on to reunite them in marriage. But as Danilo loved the poor farm
girl, can he love the wealthy widow?

Act II

Hanna’s home in Paris, the next day. Hanna holds a Pontevedrian
party. Valencienne, the young wife of the Pontevedrian ambassador, Baron Zeta, continues
a fragile romance with a young Frenchman, Camille, who has written a dangerous confession
of love on her fan. The intrigue deepens when Hanna and Camille are discovered in
the summer house and the hope of her reunion with Danilo appears doomed.

Act III

Maxim’s Nightclub, later the same evening. Hanna has reserved the
popular nightspot, where she sparks Danilo’s anger by her coquettish antics
with the grisettes. The various love intrigues are resolved by vital discoveries about
Valencienne’s fan - and the will of Hanna’s late husband!